Crack!
The crack across the tabletop widened again.
Several wood chips flew toward the end of the conference room, striking a Jōnin in the face.
A thin line of blood appeared on the Jōnin's cheek, yet he did not even dare wipe it away.
Tsunade stared at Fugaku.
"Your Uchiha Clan has endured for over a thousand years."
"Your clan records have documented so many Mangekyō Sharingan."
"And now you are telling me there is no way to judge it?"
Fugaku met her gaze.
His expression did not change in the slightest.
"The Uchiha Clan has never seen a pure white Susanoo like this."
"There are no relevant records in the clan archives either."
"If I made up an assessment just to answer you, I would only mislead Konoha."
After saying that, he sat back down.
Tsunade's expression darkened at being rebuffed.
Yet none of the Jōnin present thought Fugaku was shirking responsibility.
If they were in Fugaku's position, they would not have had a better answer either.
Tsunade suppressed her anger and shifted her gaze to the other side.
"Nara Shikaku."
Nara Shikaku had originally been seated near the back.
Upon hearing his name, he first sighed, then raised his head.
A faintly bitter smile appeared on his usually lazy-looking face.
"Lady Tsunade."
"This matter is very troublesome."
A vein throbbed violently at Tsunade's temple.
She pressed both hands against the already cracked tabletop and leaned forward.
"Of course I know it is troublesome."
"What I want is your opinion!"
Shikaku did not quicken his speech because of her fury.
He sat up straight and first glanced around at everyone in the conference room.
"The Shinobi World has never lacked geniuses."
"Some become Jōnin in their teens."
"Some can develop forbidden techniques on their own."
"Others need only a